This loaded team will be out to prove a point to the rest of the basketball world that tried to rain on the Banner No. 18 parade.

Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics are under "zero pressure" to repeat as champions. "We're all going to be dead soon, and it really doesn't matter anymore," he said.

Having dominated last season, the Celtics face a question both simple and daunting as their season begins Tuesday night: Can they do it again? State of play: The Celts team that tips off at home against the Knicks will look very familiar.

Following a lively offseason, the NBA might actually be deeper than ever. Parity is running rampant in a league that is historically dominated by one or two teams. Winning back-to-back titles is a punishing task,

Celtics are locked, loaded and favored to repeat as NBA champs . In a perfect world – well, perfect for 24 teams – the NBA’s streak of six different champions in six seasons